By Saroj Pathirana BBC Sinhala Service

Dhammika Geethanjali weeps. She is left with her children who are still at school.

"Children do not know what happened to their father".

	Campaigners say Sri Lanka did not exert adequate pressure on Saudi authorities

Helpless and hopeless, the widow of Sanath Pushpakumara says she couldn't imagine her future without him.

Pushpakumara, DD Ranjith de Silva, Victor Corea and Shamal Sangeeth Kumara were beheaded by the sword in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on 19 February.

Three of them, apart from Shamal, were sentenced to death for armed robbery and threatening civilians.

Saudi envoy's visit

Shamal was executed for reasons not expalined though he was sentenced to 15-year imprisonment.

Geethanjalee is very vocal against Sri Lankan authorities for failing to protect her husband's life.

While Prince Aziz was in Sri Lanka, she says, authorities tried their best to prevent relatives from handing over a petition.

Minister Sarath Amunugama had told Ranjan Ramanayake that the petition could not be handed over as it would affect foreign aid! All those in the government were sleeping Sanath Pushpakumara's widow

“Minister Sarath Amunugama had told Ranjan Ramanayake that the petition could not be handed over as it would affect foreign aid! All those in the government were sleeping.”

Popular film actor Ramanayake led a campaign for nearly three years to save the lives of four Sri Lankans.

He was the one who introduced the four families as officials tried to stop them launching a united campaign, says Geethanjalee.

Government's special envoy

“Sri Lanka government, Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB), Foreign Ministry and Labour Ministry are 100 per cent responsible for their deaths,” Ramanayake told BBC Sandeshaya.

But the government disagrees.

	Minister Bogollagama has raised concerns with the Saudi government after the executions

Deputy foreign minister, Hussein Bahila, says the government did its utmost to save their lives.

“Two Presidents, Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa, appealed to the Saudi government,” he told bbcsinhala.com.

“Minister Fowzi visited Saudi Arabia as a special envoy of thePresident. It is the Saudi government that decided to carry out the execution under their law”.

Two others, an Indian national and a Bangladeshi national who were sentenced with the Sri Lankans were released as their countries helped them with legal assistance, according to Ramanayake.

Two Presidents, Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa, appealed to the Saudi government. Minister Fowzi visited Saudi Arabia as an special envoy of the President. Minister Hussain Bahila

“These people were compelled by the circumstances to rob as they were not paid for months,” Ramanayake says.

“And the FEB failed to carry out their obligations by not providing them with legal assistance at the trial”.

Ranjith Silva’s younger sister, Iresha Silva, says that their mother is yet to learn of the fate of Ranjith.

Mother may not learn of his fate at all, says Iresha, as her condition might deteriorate if the bad news was conveyed.

Foreign employment

“Anybody should respect the law of the country; and we know it is our responsibility to protect Sri Lankans which we did,” Minister Bahila said.

Geethanjalee says officials at FEB treated them like criminals.

"I know my husband was wrong. But it is he who commited it. Not me or my relaives".

	Saudi Arabia maintains close links with the West

Iresha Silva appeals authorities to save the lives of other Sri Lankans serving in Saudi and other Middle Eastern countries.

"I feel the government was more interested in business and trade interests with Saudi Arabia than the lives of four Sri Lankan citizens. I hope nobody else go through the pain we suffered".

But Minister Bahila categorically denied the allegation.

Geethanjalee's appeal is to Sri Lankan publib who are willing to go abroad.

"All these leaders spend a luxury life thanks to these peoples' hardwork. Everybody, including President Rajapaksa, forgets their contributions.

I appeal Sri Lankans not to go foreign employment and send money to Sri Lanka".